15 things to do with the kids Oct. 9-15

Todd Rosenberg Photography

Getting up close (if not quite personal) with penguins is the point of this Lincoln Park Zoo program — so if you’re looking for a way to make Monday a memorable holiday (and don’t mind splurging), this is it. Groups of up to 10 people (at least 6 years of age) get to spend 45 minutes with zoo staff at the Penguin Cove, about 20 minutes of which is actually inside the habitat with the waterbirds. (No touching or feeding allowed, but the penguins may approach you if they choose.) 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily through Oct. 31 at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St. $60. http://tinyurl.com/y74654rq

Getting up close (if not quite personal) with penguins is the point of this Lincoln Park Zoo program — so if you’re looking for a way to make Monday a memorable holiday (and don’t mind splurging), this is it. Groups of up to 10 people (at least 6 years of age) get to spend 45 minutes with zoo staff at the Penguin Cove, about 20 minutes of which is actually inside the habitat with the waterbirds. (No touching or feeding allowed, but the penguins may approach you if they choose.) 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily through Oct. 31 at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St. $60. http://tinyurl.com/y74654rq

Here’s a fun way to spend the holiday (weather permitting): Head to the Botanic Garden to check out the sprawling paradise of model train sets. (It only chugs along till month’s end, so Columbus Day is a perfect opportunity to catch it.) Junior conductors can gaze upon 18 different tracks, with toy trains winding through 5,000 plants, crossing 26 bridges and chugging past a wide collection of models of American landmarks — including a working geyser (hey, Yellowstone!). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 29 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. $6 adults, $4 kids 3-12, plus $25 for parking. http://tinyurl.com/y9jc8xbk

Here’s a fun way to spend the holiday (weather permitting): Head to the Botanic Garden to check out the sprawling paradise of model train sets. (It only chugs along till month’s end, so Columbus Day is a perfect opportunity to catch it.) Junior conductors can gaze upon 18 different tracks, with toy trains winding through 5,000 plants, crossing 26 bridges and chugging past a wide collection of models of American landmarks — including a working geyser (hey, Yellowstone!). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 29 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. $6 adults, $4 kids 3-12, plus $25 for parking. http://tinyurl.com/y9jc8xbk

From up-close-and-personal penguin encounters at the zoo and the Old Town School of Folk Music's open house celebration to pumpkin patches, both real and glass, here are 15 things to do with the kids Oct. 9-15. — Web Behrens